Regional News/West: UCSF looking to expand on site adjacent to new medical center

The University of California at San Francisco is in the planning stages of acquiring and developing a site across from its UCSF Medical Center at Mission Bay, a children's, women's and cancer hospital complex that is still under construction itself.

At a March meeting of the Mission Bay Citizens Advisory Committee, the university told community members that it is in early discussions to acquire and redevelop the land. According to San Francisco's Mission Bay South Redevelopment Plan, the site would allow for up to 500,000 square feet of office and biotechnology space and a maximum of 500 parking spaces. Specifics concerning building design, height and bulk would be based on feedback from community residents.

UCSF's plans for the Mission Bay location are part of a consolidation effort to save on operating and occupancy costs and to improve campus coordination and collaboration. Before that can occur, however, the plans must go through several rounds of review, including approval from the UC Board of Regents.

The first phase of construction could start in the next few years, with completion of the second phase slated for 2022. The three-building medical center is scheduled for completion this August, with a public opening in February 2015, according to the UCSF website.

Follow Rachel Landen on Twitter: @MHrlanden